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#aopa press release on #aviation

The following was released yesterday by AOPA Australia.

The AOPA organisations throughout the world are a formidable force with a combined membership of over 470,000.

The International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA) is a nonprofit federation of 73 autonomous, nongovernmental, national general aviation organizations. IAOPA has represented international general aviation for nearly 50 years.

The combined total of individuals represented by these constituent member groups of IAOPA is over 470,000 pilots, who fly general aviation aircraft for business and personal transportation. General aviation is defined by ICAO as “All civil aviation operations other than scheduled air services and non-scheduled air transport operations for remuneration or hire.”

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) of Australia commences work on Minister Chester’s review into General Aviation Decline.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) of Australia this week met with representatives of the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) to commence work on Minister Chester’s, review into general aviation decline – the first of a number of meetings planned.

Leading the BITRE review team is Director of Aviation Statistics, Mr Glenn Malam, who provided AOPA Australia with government data that confirms graphs released by AOPA Australia in August 2016, showcasing the serious decline in general aviation over the past 10 years, including;

General aviation pilot numbers have declined by 34% (loss of 8,000+ from the industry)

General aviation fuel sales have declined by 35%

Number of general aviation aircraft not flying has increased by over 50% (over 3,000+ aircraft parked)

The AOPA Australia has put forward a range of valuable feedback during the first meeting, which included;

Amend the Civil Aviation Act so that the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is required to foster general aviation industry growth and development

Adopt and harmonise to the world’s most successful general aviation regulatory framework, the United States Federal Aviation Regulations

Extend the ADS-B install deadline to 2021 without restriction to both commercial and private operators

Remove unreasonable industry charges and fees for interactions with the safety regulator

The AOPA Australia also confirmed its stance on aviation regulatory management;

Only regulate where necessary

Deregulate everywhere we can

Reduce cost to industry

Create a vibrant and dynamic general aviation industry for all Australians

The BITRE team have until 30th June of 2017 to complete their review and will shortly commence interviewing general aviation business operators seeking to understand the industry’s view with regard to general aviation decline.

The AOPA Australia welcomes aircraft owners, pilots and general aviation business operators who would like to provide direct input to this important review to contact the AOPA Australia office by telephone
on: (02) 9791 9099 to register your interest in participating.